The dry period is essential to allow cows to rest, renew udder tissue, and prepare for their next lactation cycle. A good dry off plan reduces mastitis risk while optimising milk production in the coming season.
The aim is to shut down milk production and seal the teat canal as rapidly as possible. This usually takes around two weeks. Maintain your normal milking routine until drying off. Changing to once-a-day milking or intermittent milking increases the bulk milk somatic cell count and the risk of mastitis at drying off.¹ For cows producing five litres or less, you do not need to change their diet prior to dry off.¹ However, changes maybe needed for cows producing more than 10 litres a day. One week before dry off, remove concentrated high energy feeds and reduce protein intake where possible. Switching to lower quality forages (grass baleage, lower quality pasture and paddocks) can help reduce milk production naturally. Total feed intake may be reduced in the week before dry off, but be sure to supply sufficient feed to maintain body condition as we do not want cows losing weight during drying off.
Once cows are dried off, apply a disinfectant teat spray, and put them in clean dry paddocks to reduce mastitis risk. Avoid allowing them to lie down on bare ground, muddy, or soiled areas in the two hours immediately post dry off. Check the herd daily for signs of mastitis and treat any cases quickly.
Offer lower quality bulky feeds to keep cows full during the first seven to 10 days. However, because these feeds include higher amounts of dry matter, cows can have an increased need for water. Never restrict water supply by ensuring the herd always has access to fresh, clean water.
For the next seven to 14 days, these cows should graze away from the milking shed and any milking cows to avoid the milk let down reflex. Once the udder has involuted (returned to normal size), cows can safely move to winter grazing and gradually introduced to winter crops.
Supplement magnesium and calcium to prevent any metabolic diseases while cows transition to a non-lactating state. This is also a suitable time of the year to assess trace mineral levels in the herd and correct any deficiencies before winter and the next lactation. Any animals that are light may benefit from a dry off worm drench. Read the label carefully for withhold periods of any drench. Abamectin based drenches now have a milk and meat withholding period.
Contact your local PGG Wrightson Technical Field Representative today, or visit your local PGG Wrightson store for help with dry off.
¹ SmartSAMM Drying Of. Guideline 16: Dry off abruptly taking steps to reduce yield – DairyNZ.
